Finnish courts and prosecutors receive temporary €6.9m funding boost amid deep cuts

The Finnish government has proposed a €6.9 million emergency funding increase for courts and prosecutors, delaying but not preventing sweeping staff reductions planned for the justice system, Yle reports.

The one-time allocation—€4.7 million for courts and €2.2 million for prosecutors—will provide short-term relief but does not reverse the €41 million in cuts imposed earlier this year for 2027–2030. Court layoffs, initially projected at 400 positions, will now proceed more slowly, with 60–80 jobs cut next year instead of the previously estimated 110.

Pasi Kumpula, director-general of the Courts Administration, warned that the funding gap remains severe, with a cumulative €90 million shortfall over four years. “This temporary increase covers about five percent of that deficit,” he said. Delays in case processing and growing backlogs are expected as staffing levels drop.

Prosecutor General Ari-Pekka Koivisto said the €2.2 million would fund 25 prosecutors for one year, but the office still faces losing 100 prosecutors by 2031—leaving fewer than 400 to handle a rising caseload. Without sufficient staff, he warned, up to 100,000 cases could pile up by decade’s end, with many risking expiration under statutes of limitations.

Justice Minister Leena Meri (Finns Party) stated the supplementary budget would help maintain operations as case volumes grow and previous anti-congestion funding ends. Parliament will vote on the proposal.